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Before we can experience more out of life, we must first WANT more out of life . . . John 5:1-15 records a man with an infirmity who sat by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years (yes, 38 years). This man even had a bed that he laid on by the pool, signifying that he was 'comfortable' with where he was. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, He said to him, “Wilt thou be made whole?” (“Do you want to be healed?”). And, surprisingly enough, the man didn't reply by saying, "Yes", but he began to make excuses, blaming others for him being in the place that he was in life.
Some of us are not physically disabled, but there are some places in our lives that we've been in far too long. We have gotten 'comfortable' in our 'disabilities'. Poverty, lack, bitterness, unforgiveness, childhood hurt, grief, loneliness, chasing after women / chasing after men, drugs, alcoholism, etc. These things have held up our lives long enough! “Wilt thou be made whole?” Do you want to be set free? Do you want better for your life than what you have going on right now??? If your answer is Yes, then Jesus is here to set you free! Jesus is not getting any glory out of us living in bondage. He has a wonderful plan for our lives, but we must first be open to His plan, placing the totality of our trust in Him (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:32). If you're ready for greater, sincerely pray this prayer aloud... "Heavenly Father, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe in you and that your word is true. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that he died on the cross so that I may now have forgiveness for my sins and eternal life. I know that without you in my heart my life is meaningless.I believe in my heart that you, Lord God, raised Him from the dead. Please Jesus forgive me, for every sin I have ever committed or done in my heart, please Lord Jesus forgive me and come into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior today. I need you to be my Father and my friend. I give you my life and ask you to take full control from this moment on; I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ." Amen.  About 5-6 years ago, I almost drowned at Manhattan Beach. It was high tides that day (meaning it was very windy, thus creating vicious waves), and the lifeguards told us to stay as close to the shore as possible. However, my cousin, and I, thought we'd have a competition of who could go to farthest into the water (away from shore). I won the competition, but when it was time to return back to the shore, the wind was so vicious that, with every wave, I was being pulled closer and closer into the sea. I tried to swim back to shore, literally using all of my might, but it was to no avail (trying not to panic because that only makes you drown faster). I soon would have to face the inevitable; that I was going to die that day.
After all of my screams for help went unanswered, I knew then that there was only One Person left to call on. So I began to pray... I wasn't Saved, so I began by saying, "God, please forgive for my sins. I'm sorry. Please give me another chance." I knew this was the end. I had felt the presence of God like never before in my life. It was as if everything else went silent and it was just Him, and I, talking (as a person living in sin, this was SO scary). So I prayed again, "God, please give me another chance." And as soon as I said that, a man came by saying, "Hey, do you need some help?" I said, "YES, PLEASE!!!!" lol... I wept tears of joy when I seen that man. He had a surf board that I grabbed onto as he escorted me back to shore. After we got to shore, I mean I could've kissed the sand lol. I was so grateful that God spared my life! And me hearing stories about angels miraculously rescuing people and disappearing (Hebrews 13:2), I purposely / closely watched this man to make sure he didn't disappear. But I had gotten distracted for a split-second, and within that split-second, I turned back and the man was gone. I was literally blown away... For the sinful lifestyle that I was leading, I deserved judgement that day. But God heard my cry of repentance and had mercy on me. Having a repentant heart will keep away death, even when it seems in order. So I give God praise for His unfailing love and mercy toward His people. #Hallelujah |
About MeAs a writer, my objective is to provoke thought. As a minister, my objective is to encourage you to Christ. As a disciple, my objective is to do these things in love. Archives
July 2017
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